Her insurance lapsed and she got the "retail customer's bill".

The article didn't say she had paid the bill yet.

Settle it, or get sued. $28K would probably settle it.

Predatory pricing for the uninsured -- when the uninsured don't pay the ridiculous prices they are charged for the services it gets factored into the insured price charged.

In the end even if the hospital gets governmental payment the insured or the taxpayer picks up the tab.

The whole health delivery system is fucked up in the USA.